Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, Marge Simpson, Bella Cullen, and Lucy Ricardo are all goddesses in their own terms and realms. However, they all share one defining characteristic; the presence of the attributes of the archetypal loyal wife, and this truly is what propels them into the realm of the divine. The companionship of the loyal wife is the most outstanding characteristic; the ability to remain by their partner's side no matter the circumstances. The providence of love and practical support to enable their hero to carry out his journey is the essence of a loyal wife archetype.
Greek Mythology: Hera
Hera, the wife of Greek god Zeus, possesses a variety of qualities, some of which fit the loyal wife archetype and many others that do not. One of Hera’s many traits is that she always remains faithful to her husband. Although Zeus has many affairs over time, Hera never cheats on Zeus. Another factor that adds to her image as a loyal wife is the fact that Hera is the Greek goddess of marriage.
Although she is completely faithful to Zeus, Hera has trouble keeping her anger and jealousy away from Zeus’ s various partners and children. For example, Hera nurses a continuous hatred for Hercules, one of her husband’s sons from another mother. This characteristic displays how protective and territorial Hera is of her husband.
One of Hera’s non-archetypal qualities is her tricky, scheming personality that she uses even against her husband. Although she usually tries to keep her husband happy, there are times when she is angered by him or tries to revolt against him. Hera is a character built from a combination of qualities both from loyal wife as wells as a rebellious one.
Greek Mythology: The Myth of Alcestis
Alcestis, from Greek mythology, demonstrates complete and unwavering devotion to her husband, Admetus. At the start of the myth, Admetus gains Alcestis's hand in marriage with Apollo’s help. When Admetus falls deathly ill, Apollo manages to strike up a deal with the Fates that will permit Admetus’s survival provided another person dies in his place. No one else is willing to sacrifice himself or herself, so Alcestis steps up and proclaims her willingness to die for her husband. In doing this, Alcestis reveals her tremendous dedication and loyalty to her spouse. She is prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice for her husband. Her being a newlywed, adds to her portrayal as a loyal wife because her father, not her, decides this marriage. Therefore, when she sacrifices herself, she demonstrates her willingness to die for someone she barely knew just because that person was her husband. Alcestis clearly exemplifies the strongest of loyal wives. The difference between her and other examples is that she possesses absolutely no flaws, unlike most other loyal wife archetypes. Not a single one of her actions give any hint that she is not a perfectly faithful wife.
Greek Mythology: Penelope
Hindu Mythology: Sita
Sita, wife of the Hindu god Rama, portrays the loyal wife archetype very well. Beginning from the point where she is first introduced, the writer refers to Sita by the epithet faithful numerous times. Soon after their marriage, Rama is sent to exile into the forest for fourteen years. Although she is not obligated to, Sita makes the choice to follow him being the devoted wife that she is. She feels that she does not have the right to live a life of luxury while her husband is forced to live with the bare necessities in the middle of a forest.
Another example of Sita’s undying loyalty is when she is tricked into being kidnapped by the evil demon Ravana. Although he tries to persuade, threaten, and cajole her into marrying him, she never gives in, declaring she will always stay true to Rama. Sita is a very traditional example of a loyal wife who fits the archetype perfectly.
Desdemona: Shakespeare's Othello
Lucy Ricardo: I Love Lucy
Marge:The Simpsons
Marge Simpson, the loyal wife of Homer, in the popular sitcom The Simpsons, truly exemplifies dedication in a wife. Over the last 20 years, Marge has managed to somehow put up with all of Homer’s crazy shenanigans, which range from heading the mafia to drunkenly marrying a prostitute from Las Vegas. In the 441 episodes so far of the show, Homer has certainly not demonstrated the role of a “Loyal Husband”, yet Marge has faithfully stayed with him despite his alcoholism, disgusting eating habits, rude manner, and the dozens of mortgages he has taken out on the house. Even though she has been presented with more than enough opportunities to cheat on Homer, she has not once betrayed his trust. Obviously no spouse is perfect; Marge differs in many ways from the typical loyal wife. Numerous events in the show result in shouting matches ensuing between Homer and Marge, some of which end with Marge throwing Homer out of the house. Each time, though, it does not take too long for her to let him return. In a few episodes, other men have tempted Marge. In one incident, Marge begins a secretive relationship with another man. This however, does not progress far because Marge feels very guilt from the start.
Hillary Clinton:U.S. Politics
Hilary Clinton, the archetypal loyal wife, is much more than a loyal wife; she is an ambitious loyal wife. The secret to Bill Clinton’s success was Hilary Clinton. Hilary moved Bill from good old country Bill, to good old President Bill. Even while Bill was having affairs, Hillary remained by his side through love. Hillary continued to propel Bill into history even though Bill was unfaithful. Bill placed the largest hurt a wife can experience on Hillary, and Hillary still remained by his side. Through the worst of times, Hillary never faltered from the path of faith in her husband. While Bill was with other women and deemed Hilary unsuitable for her to be his only woman, Hilary still remained by Bill's side and continued to aid the success of Bill Clinton.
Bella Swan from the "Twilight Series"
Human Bella Swan finds herself falling in love with a vampire, Edward Cullen. Within months of declaring their love for each other, they decide to get married at the tender age of 18. When they get married, Bella is still human but insists to Edward that she should turn herself into a vampire so that they can be together forever. Edward disagrees, but insistent Bella finally gets her way and transforms into a vampire. She sacrifices her life for Edward and for their future together. Bella then gets pregnant with a half-human, half vampire child, (the baby was conceived before she became a vampire). Edward tries to convince Bella to get rid of the baby because it could harm her body. Loyal wives would give their husband whatever they ask for without a doubt. Bella, however, continues to carry the baby despite Edward's pleas. In the end, the baby nearly kills her, but she lives due to the quick instincts of her husband.
The Loyal Wife
Bryce, Shelley, Shana, and Luke
Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, Marge Simpson, Bella Cullen, and Lucy Ricardo are all goddesses in their own terms and realms. However, they all share one defining characteristic; the presence of the attributes of the archetypal loyal wife, and this truly is what propels them into the realm of the divine. The companionship of the loyal wife is the most outstanding characteristic; the ability to remain by their partner's side no matter the circumstances. The providence of love and practical support to enable their hero to carry out his journey is the essence of a loyal wife archetype.Greek Mythology: Hera
Hera, the wife of Greek god Zeus, possesses a variety of qualities, some of which fit the loyal wife archetype and many others that do not. One of Hera’s many traits is that she always remains faithful to her husband. Although Zeus has many affairs over time, Hera never cheats on Zeus. Another factor that adds to her image as a loyal wife is the fact that Hera is the Greek goddess of marriage.
Although she is completely faithful to Zeus, Hera has trouble keeping her anger and jealousy away from Zeus’ s various partners and children. For example, Hera nurses a continuous hatred for Hercules, one of her husband’s sons from another mother. This characteristic displays how protective and territorial Hera is of her husband.
One of Hera’s non-archetypal qualities is her tricky, scheming personality that she uses even against her husband. Although she usually tries to keep her husband happy, there are times when she is angered by him or tries to revolt against him. Hera is a character built from a combination of qualities both from loyal wife as wells as a rebellious one.
Greek Mythology: The Myth of Alcestis
Alcestis, from Greek mythology, demonstrates complete and unwavering devotion to her husband, Admetus. At the start of the myth, Admetus gains Alcestis's hand in marriage with Apollo’s help. When Admetus falls deathly ill, Apollo manages to strike up a deal with the Fates that will permit Admetus’s survival provided another person dies in his place. No one else is willing to sacrifice himself or herself, so Alcestis steps up and proclaims her willingness to die for her husband. In doing this, Alcestis reveals her tremendous dedication and loyalty to her spouse. She is prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice for her husband. Her being a newlywed, adds to her portrayal as a loyal wife because her father, not her, decides this marriage. Therefore, when she sacrifices herself, she demonstrates her willingness to die for someone she barely knew just because that person was her husband. Alcestis clearly exemplifies the strongest of loyal wives. The difference between her and other examples is that she possesses absolutely no flaws, unlike most other loyal wife archetypes. Not a single one of her actions give any hint that she is not a perfectly faithful wife.
Greek Mythology: Penelope
Hindu Mythology: Sita
Sita, wife of the Hindu god Rama, portrays the loyal wife archetype very well. Beginning from the point where she is first introduced, the writer refers to Sita by the epithet faithful numerous times. Soon after their marriage, Rama is sent to exile into the forest for fourteen years. Although she is not obligated to, Sita makes the choice to follow him being the devoted wife that she is. She feels that she does not have the right to live a life of luxury while her husband is forced to live with the bare necessities in the middle of a forest.
Another example of Sita’s undying loyalty is when she is tricked into being kidnapped by the evil demon Ravana. Although he tries to persuade, threaten, and cajole her into marrying him, she never gives in, declaring she will always stay true to Rama. Sita is a very traditional example of a loyal wife who fits the archetype perfectly.
Desdemona: Shakespeare's Othello
Lucy Ricardo: I Love Lucy
Marge:The Simpsons
Marge Simpson, the loyal wife of Homer, in the popular sitcom The Simpsons, truly exemplifies dedication in a wife. Over the last 20 years, Marge has managed to somehow put up with all of Homer’s crazy shenanigans, which range from heading the mafia to drunkenly marrying a prostitute from Las Vegas. In the 441 episodes so far of the show, Homer has certainly not demonstrated the role of a “Loyal Husband”, yet Marge has faithfully stayed with him despite his alcoholism, disgusting eating habits, rude manner, and the dozens of mortgages he has taken out on the house. Even though she has been presented with more than enough opportunities to cheat on Homer, she has not once betrayed his trust. Obviously no spouse is perfect; Marge differs in many ways from the typical loyal wife. Numerous events in the show result in shouting matches ensuing between Homer and Marge, some of which end with Marge throwing Homer out of the house. Each time, though, it does not take too long for her to let him return. In a few episodes, other men have tempted Marge. In one incident, Marge begins a secretive relationship with another man. This however, does not progress far because Marge feels very guilt from the start.
Hillary Clinton:U.S. Politics
Hilary Clinton, the archetypal loyal wife, is much more than a loyal wife; she is an ambitious loyal wife. The secret to Bill Clinton’s success was Hilary Clinton. Hilary moved Bill from good old country Bill, to good old President Bill. Even while Bill was having affairs, Hillary remained by his side through love. Hillary continued to propel Bill into history even though Bill was unfaithful. Bill placed the largest hurt a wife can experience on Hillary, and Hillary still remained by his side. Through the worst of times, Hillary never faltered from the path of faith in her husband. While Bill was with other women and deemed Hilary unsuitable for her to be his only woman, Hilary still remained by Bill's side and continued to aid the success of Bill Clinton.
Bella Swan from the "Twilight Series"
Human Bella Swan finds herself falling in love with a vampire, Edward Cullen. Within months of declaring their love for each other, they decide to get married at the tender age of 18. When they get married, Bella is still human but insists to Edward that she should turn herself into a vampire so that they can be together forever. Edward disagrees, but insistent Bella finally gets her way and transforms into a vampire. She sacrifices her life for Edward and for their future together. Bella then gets pregnant with a half-human, half vampire child, (the baby was conceived before she became a vampire). Edward tries to convince Bella to get rid of the baby because it could harm her body. Loyal wives would give their husband whatever they ask for without a doubt. Bella, however, continues to carry the baby despite Edward's pleas. In the end, the baby nearly kills her, but she lives due to the quick instincts of her husband.
Michelle Obama:U.S. Politics
Bibliography:
Sites
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<http://homepage.mac.com/cparada/GML/Penelope.html>.
Images
Delacroix, Eugene. Othello and Desdemona. 1858. Web. 21 Sep. 2009 <http://cas.buffalo.edu/classes/eng/willbern/Shakespeare/plays/Othello/images/Othello-Desdemona_Delacroix.jpg>.
Fuger, Frederick H. Alcestis gives her life for Admetus. Web. 21 Sep. 2009 <http://homepage.mac.com/cparada/GML/Alcestis.html>.
Marge Simpson. Web. 21 Sep. 2009 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Marge_Simpson.png>.
Michelle Obama Political Aspirations. Web. 22 Sep. 2009 <http://blackliberal.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/michelle-obama-political-aspirations.jpg>.
Penelope and her suitors. N.d. OU Student Web. Web. 17 Sept. 2009.
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Sita Swayamvar - Wedding of Rama and Sita. Web. 21 Sep. 2009 <http://www.dollsofindia.com/product/PI22/>.
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